Basic Japanese phrases for travel

Excuse me

Rōmaji Sumimasen

soo-mee-mah-sen

Use it to get someone’s attention before a question, or to squeeze past on a crowded metro.

The most useful word in Japan: excuse me, sorry, and thank-you-for-the-trouble all at once. Works on everyone.

Please

Rōmaji Onegai shimasu

oh-neh-gai shee-mahs

Add it to any order or request.

Thank you

Rōmaji Arigatō gozaimasu

ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zai-mahs

Say it after any small service, such as a waiter bringing a dish or a shopkeeper handing over change.

Thank you very much

Rōmaji Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu

doh-moh ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zai-mahs

Use it when someone has gone out of their way to help and you want to show extra gratitude.

You’re welcome

Rōmaji Dō itashimashite

doh ee-tah-shee-mah-shteh

Use it after someone thanks you. “No problem” is a more casual alternative.

The textbook reply. In practice locals often wave it off with a modest “ie ie” (no, no).

I’m sorry

Rōmaji Gomen nasai

goh-men-nah-sai

Use it to apologise when you’ve made a mistake or caused someone trouble.

For real apologies. Small bumps and inconveniences are covered by “sumimasen”.

Yes

Rōmaji Hai

hai

Useful for confirming a price or accepting an offer.

No

Rōmaji Iie

ee-eh

Use it to turn down an offer or an extra you didn’t ask for.

A blunt no is rare in Japan, refusals often arrive as “chotto…” (it’s a bit…) with an apologetic tilt of the head.

Okay

Rōmaji Daijōbu desu

dai-joh-boo dess

Use it to agree to a plan, a price, a meeting time or a pickup point.

A wonder-word: it’s fine, I’m fine, no thank you, meaning rides on tone and context.

Perfect

Rōmaji Ii desu ne

ee dess neh

A warmer “okay” for when a suggestion suits you.

That works for me

Rōmaji Sore de daijōbu desu

soh-reh deh dai-joh-boo dess

Use it to accept a suggestion, such as a later table or a different room.

No problem

Rōmaji Mondai nai desu

mon-dai nai dess

Use it when someone apologises to you, or to wave off a small inconvenience.

One moment, please

Rōmaji Chotto matte kudasai

choh-toh maht-teh koo-dah-sai

Buy yourself a few seconds at the counter while you find your wallet or decide what to buy.

Could you help me, please?

Rōmaji Tetsudatte itadakemasu ka?

teh-tsoo-daht-teh ee-tah-dah-keh-mahs kah

The polite way to open a request for assistance.

Hello

Rōmaji Konnichiwa

kon-nee-chee-wah

An everyday greeting polite enough for staff and strangers. One of the first things you should learn in any language.

Hi

Rōmaji Dōmo

doh-moh

The casual “hello” for friends and anyone you know well.

A casual nod-greeting that also works as a light thanks. Its meaning rides on context and tone, so it suits people you already know; “konnichiwa” is the safer bet with anyone else.

Good morning

Rōmaji Ohayō gozaimasu

oh-hah-yoh goh-zai-mahs

Use it until around midday when you greet staff in a shop, café or hotel.

Used until about 10–11 am. Drop the “gozaimasu” only with people you know well.

Good afternoon

Rōmaji Konnichiwa

kon-nee-chee-wah

For the stretch between lunch and evening. When people switch to “good evening” varies, so follow what locals say to you.

“Konnichiwa” literally is the daytime greeting. Japanese has no separate word for afternoon.

Good evening

Rōmaji Konbanwa

kon-bahn-wah

The greeting for later in the day: walking into a restaurant for dinner, or checking in after dark.

Goodbye

Rōmaji Sayōnara

sah-yoh-nah-rah

Say it as you leave a shop or get out of a taxi.

Carries a whiff of finality. For everyday partings locals say “ja, mata” (well, see you) or just bow.

• Everyday じゃ、また Ja, mata jah mah-tah

See you later

Rōmaji Mata ne

mah-tah-neh

For people you’ll see again, such as hotel staff or the barista you visit each morning.

Have a good day

Rōmaji Yoi ichinichi o

yoy ee-chee-nee-chee oh

A sign-off after a short exchange, such as paying in a shop.

My name is [name]

Rōmaji [namae] desu

[nah-mah-eh] dess

It’s useful to introduce yourself in the local language, especially when meeting people during your travels.

Family name first is the Japanese convention, but visitors introducing themselves however they like is completely fine.

• Formal [名前]と申します [namae] to mōshimasu [nah-mah-eh] toh moh-shee-mahs

How are you?

Rōmaji O-genki desu ka?

oh-gen-kee dess kah

Follow your greeting with it. Some people answer briefly, others treat it as a real question.

Not casual filler in Japan. It’s a real question for people you haven’t seen in a while.

I’m well, thank you

Rōmaji Genki desu, arigatō gozaimasu

gen-kee dess, ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zai-mahs

The standard reply to “How are you?”. Ask the question back if you want to continue the conversation.

Nice to meet you

Rōmaji Hajimemashite

hah-jee-meh-mah-shteh

A useful phrase when meeting someone new on your travels. Saying it in the local language is a nice touch.

Often followed by “yoroshiku onegaishimasu”, an untranslatable request for good relations. Add it and impress everyone.